Article Summary By: SorS

Polarizing filter enhances picture quality by blocking harmful reflected light. Use it to reduce polarized light reflections from glass and water surfaces or to improve color saturation. Simple to use, circular polarizing filters (such as Canon's PL-C) polarize light circularly, rather than linearly, so it does not interfere with autofocus or TTL light metering.It's hard to go wrong with a Canon product intended for professionals. The circular polarizer lens works exactly as you'd expect and comes with a nice case for those times when it's just not necessary. After all, it's not going to stay on my lens 24/7 like a UV filter.

I want UV filters for each lens and a (circular) polarizer. I want the former because a) I shoot usually around 7k-14k feet and b) I'm in a wide range of conditions (dust/moisture) doing so. I don't really care about brass vs. aluminum. By the way, how does your camera go for normal photography? Do you use a IR blocking filter over the lens, under the lens or white-ballance control or software afterwards to correct the colour? Can't speak to Canon filters, however I have never found any camera company that makes good filters. In every case I have seen they are jobbed out anyway.

 I am doing fine (for 15 years) without any. I think that the use of a protective filter is justified only in hostile environments (e.g. And as I'm never in such places I simply use the lens caps when the lens is in the bag and the lens hood at all other times.I keep Hoya Super HMC UV(0) filters on the front of all of my lenses. I don't see a point in buying a $1,700 lens and then putting a cheap ass filter on it.

The three best filter lines out there are B+W's MRC filters, Heliopan's SH-PMC filters and Hoya's S-HMC or DMC filters. I wouldn't bother with anybody else's. I believe Canon filters are made for them by Tiffen, and they are indeed a disgrace to the Canon name.As others said, the Canon filter is made by Tiffen. Always get multi-coated filter or as well skip the UV filter as it introduces flare. Those German filters have execellent glass and wonderful coating, scratch resistance and easy to clean (all you need is a clean microfibre cloth and your breath).

Aside - I've found that oil and finger-print smudges are just as easy to clean on a Nikon and Canon filter as a B&W. Pentax SMC filters were more problematic - like Hoya.Of course this means that I need a UV blocking filter over the lens for everything, including astro (unless I want to take UV photos of course!) and a IR blocking filter for 'normal' photography.So does anyone want an unused Baader filter for a Canon EOS? Same price as what I paid for it (plus postage) - about $180.It's not like Tiffen and Hoya filters are really, really, expensive either. I'm not sure it makes much sense to save a couple of dollars buying "off brand" filters. Tiffen and Hoya are a good compromise between dirt cheap and overly expensive!

Tags: Camera Filter | Canon Filter | Canon Lens | uv Filter